Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

caritative

adjective
car·i·ta·tive | \ ˈkarəˌtātiv , -ətətiv \

Definition of caritative 

: charitable in nature or tendency the caritative principle of Christianity

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for caritative

Medieval Latin caritativus, from Late Latin caritat-, caritas + Latin -ivus -ive

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about caritative

Share caritative

Resources for caritative

Cite Time Traveler Time Traveler! Explore the year a word first appeared

Dictionary Entries near caritative

-caris

carissa

caritas

caritative

caritive

Carius method

carjacking

Statistics for caritative

Look-up Popularity

Comments on caritative

What made you want to look up caritative? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

biannual

occurring twice a year or every two years

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Name that Food Quiz

  • alt-573b465788319
  • Name these cookies!
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games